Turner
looks toward 2013

OLYMPIC bronze
medallist, Glenn Turner is preparing for another busy year both on the
international hockey scene and on the home front. Though this is not an Olympic
or Commonwealth year there is plenty of hockey to be played and other important
things happening in his life.

His home season
starts with the Indoor Hockey Championships in Canberra from this Saturday through
to January 8.

“I am expected
in India by January 9 for the Hockey India League five side competition,”
Turner said.

“I will be
cutting it fine, otherwise I might have to miss the finals of the National
Championships.”

Turner is one
of fifteen Australian hockey players selected for the newly formed Hockey India
League (HIL) which starts on January 16.

The HIL is made
up of five franchises with each squad comprising 10 overseas players and 14
Indian players.

There are nine
players from each the Netherlands and Pakistan making up the three largest
international contingents in this competition.

Turner is
playing for the Mumbai Magicians, which will be coached by Australian coach Ric
Charlesworth, assisted by the Kookaburras assistant coach Graham Reid.

Charlesworth
has selected three other Australians in his team, defenders Joel Carroll (NT)
and Matt Swann (Qld), along with midfielder Matthew Butturini (NSW). Turner
will be in the striker position for this competition. Key Indian players in the
team include number one goal keeper PJ Sreejest and their top drag flicker
Sandeep Singh.

“The aim of the
HIL is to revitalise interest in hockey in India which has slumped over the
past decade, but is on its way back due to the television coverage of the
competition last January and the Olympics,” Turner said.

“The interest
is certainly picking up and there has been a lot of precompetition enthusiasm
for the HIL since the announcement of the international players joining with local
stars in the televised series.” Turner who is used to cutting things fine, will
be hoping that everything runs to schedule at home during this venture into
professional hockey. He and his long time partner and fiancé Bec Ginn are
expecting a baby on February 16.

“I am really
hoping that our baby doesn’t decide to come early,” he said. “The HIL is due to
finish on February 10, so if everything goes to plan I will be home in time.”

Turner will be
on leave until March and is anticipating playing in the ACT Hockey competition.
Though there are some international matches earlier in the year he is not
expecting any Kookaburra duties till June or July.

“Other than
that, its work with Goulburn Mulwaree Council, who have been really supportive,”
he concluded.